This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Filmmaking"
ordinance of the Township of Little Falls.
Immediately upon adoption of this chapter, the Township Clerk
shall file a copy of this chapter with the Passaic County Executive
and the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.
It is hereby established that all matters relating to filmmaking in the Township of Little Falls will be heard and approved, waived and/or denied by the Township Administrator. Appeals from the Township Administrator's decision can be made to the Township Council of the Township of Little Falls by formal letter stating the objections to the Administrator's decision. Filmmaking is defined as photography (whether still or motion picture) and/or audio recording, that is recorded to film or any other medium, digital, analog, or otherwise, that has or has not been currently invented." This chapter does not seek to regulate, control or restrict any personal or family filmmaking, videotaping or still photography. Private wedding and family event productions are exempt, even when made on public property using professional photographers and videographers, so long as the final product is for personal use only. Weddings and events that will be used for any use other than distribution to family and friends (people who personally know the subjects) are not exempt (i.e., reality shows, etc.). Other exemptions on public property include news coverage and student productions. Permanent commercial film production facilities which have met all zoning and building codes requirements for certificates of occupancy are specifically exempt from the provisions of Chapter
73, Filmmaking, unless a specific production will impact outside of the facility (lighting, sound, off-site parking, etc.).
The Township Administrator or Council may employ or contract
for the services of experts and other staff and services as it may
deem necessary.
The Township Council shall adopt such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions and purpose
of this chapter. Filmmaking on public property and filmmaking on private
property that will be disruptive to the Township residents and businesses
that are not part of the production shall be delineated in this code
section. The determination between whether a production needs approval
or permits will not be determined on a private vs professional basis
but will be based on the size of the production.
Anyone desiring to conduct filmmaking on public property or
a large production on private property shall submit an application
to the Township Administrator the application instructions are set
forth on the application document.
The Tax Assessor of the Township of Little Falls shall, within seven days after receipt of request therefor and upon receipt of payment of a fee of $50 make and certify a list from the current tax duplicate of names and addresses of owners to whom the applicant is required to give notice pursuant to §
73-9 of this chapter.
Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable
as follows:
A. Filmmaking being conducted in the Township of Little Falls without
the appropriate approval by the Township Administrator:
(1) Property owner: up to $5,000.
(2) Filmmaking company: up to $5,000.
B. Failure to cease filmmaking activities after being noticed by the
Police Department:
(1) Property owner, for each day of violation: up to $5,000.
(2) Filmmaking company, for each day of violation: up to $5,000.